Category: At The Checkout

The customer has seemed normal and maybe even intelligent throughout the shopping purchase. But then they get to the checkout and as soon as human interaction is required it all falls apart. The checkout operators really are our first line of defense against the stupid customer!

Me: “Well, sir, the prices are set by corporate. Most businesses don’t include the tax because it varies by location. The tax added in one state is different than another.”

Customer: “Whatever, that is still crap. Here.” *hands over $8.26*

Cashier: “Okay, sir you still owe 31 cents.”

Customer: “No, I just told you I will NOT pay the tax on it.”

Me: “Sir, we cannot complete the transaction until you pay the remainder.”

Customer: “But why should I have to pay more than is listed?”

Me: “The sales taxes are what the state of Georgia says they are. I don’t have control over that.”

Customer: “Whatever.”

(The customer walks off leaving his $8.26 on the counter. We put it to the side and continue with the next customers in line. About 10 minutes later he walks up to the counter again.)

Customer: “Have y’all called my name yet; is my sandwich ready?”

Me: “Sir, we never processed your order.”

Customer: “WHAT? I HAVE BEEN WAITING HERE FOR 10 MINUTES!”

Me: “Sir, you never paid for the order.”

Customer: “Yes, I did! I gave the cashier $8.26!”

Me: “Yes, but as I explained to you, you owed 31 cents and didn’t pay it. Your money is over here if you want it, or if you want to pay the 31 cents we can start your order now.”

Customer: “This is total bull-s***. I am going to be filing a complaint with your store owner AND with corporate. ”

(The customer stormed off without taking his money. I put the money aside and waited for him to come back. By the end of the shift he didn’t show up so I put in the charity collection… ironically, the charity collection that doesn’t have a tax on it.)

(I work at a home improvement store. A customer has picked out a faucet.)

Me: “Great! We have that exact one in stock. While I set up this order, I will have someone go get it from the warehouse for you!”

Customer: “That’s perfect! What do I owe?”

Me: “$103.00. That can be cash, check, or card.”

Customer:*hands me a card*

Me: “Uhm. This is a EBT card.”

Customer: “Yeah, I know.”

Me: “Uhm, food stamps only work on food and necessities. Did you mean to give me a credit or debit?”

Customer: “No, just charge the card I gave you.”

Me: “Uhm, ma’am, I cannot do that. This is a state issued EBT card. It’s not meant to be used for household fixtures, just food and some basic supplies. My computer won’t even accept it if I did enter the information.”

Customer: “I want it charged to that card! That is why I gave you that card!”

Me: “I understand that; however, that is not how these cards work.”

Customer: “Well, why not?”

Me: “Because the state issues them for families who cannot afford food, water, formula, or other needs. But it has to be for a need that is basic to supporting life, not things like faucets or even clothes.”

Customer: “But I NEED a new faucet.”

Me: “Well, if you are renting, the owner of the property should be the own who replaces it. If you own your residence, I can ring this up with cash, check, or a bank issued card.”

Customer: “Just swipe the card I gave you!”

Me: “This is a state issued food stamp card. I cannot.”

Customer: “This is discrimination because you think I am poor!”

Me: “Ma’am, I do not judge based on how much money a customer happens to have. However, I can refuse forms of payment that either do not work, will not work, or are illegal to attempt to use.”

Customer: “Illegal? Now you don’t think I am American!”

Me: “What? I said forms of payment that are illegal to use.”

Customer: “You are calling me an illegal!”

Me: “Ma’am, I cannot help you. Nor can I sell you this with the payment you offered me. You can either give me a legal, bank issued form of payment or not buy from this store.”